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Moraine Park Technical College Blog - Imagine What's Next
Auto & Transportation, Student Life

Jerod Splan- Determined to Succeed

Jerod

Jerod Splan of Iron Ridge is a student unlike any other. He was born completely deaf, but it is clear that he has the determination to face any challenge on this path. As a student in the automotive program, Jerod has spent the past 2-years perfecting his life-long passion.

“I’ve been around cars all my life,” Jerod said. “My Dad and Grandfather both enjoy working on cars as a hobby. I knew from a young age that this was my life calling.”

Jerod is a 2008 graduate from Lomira High School, and after graduation, he enrolled at Moraine Park in the CNC/Tool & Die program at Moraine Park. He enjoyed the program, and learned a lot, but couldn’t deny that his mind always drifted to back to automotive. So, Jerod enrolled at Moraine Park again in 2016. He came into the program already familiar with cars and the automotive industry but was looking to build upon those skills.

“The program gives a good introduction to the industry,” he said. “I’ve learned the right way to do things and how to perform my job safely. My instructors Jim, Frank, Craig, and Tim are great. I’ve learned a lot.”

In fact, for the automotive instructors, Jerod was their first deaf student, offering learning opportunities all around, such as introducing deaf culture, visual aids, and supplying a videophone to call customers.

“Moraine Park has worked hard to accommodate my learning,” Jerod said. “I’ve had my interpreter, Tammy, by my side daily, and the learning is very visual. English is not my first language, American Sign Language (ASL) is, but I’ve found the transition to learning here to be very easy.”

There’s no denying that Moraine Park is working to fill employment gaps in the industry, but there is also an overall goal to make sure learning is possible for all who aspire to earn it. Of course, Jerod didn’t stop with just utilizing the classroom, he also involved himself in student life.

“Jerod has brought such a fun dynamic to the student life department,” Sam Saeger, student involvement specialist said. “He has made the most of his college experience by joining student senate, attending conferences, and being a part of the Automotive Club. ”

Jerod can be found around Fond du Lac’s campus, participating in activities or simply enjoying the company of his friends at the College.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting new people,” he said. “I’ve made some great friendships, and have been given opportunities to grow.”

Jerod will be graduating on May 18 with his automotive technician associate degree.

“I’m proud that I have faced the challenges,” Jerod said. “I could have been afraid or have hidden, but instead I embraced it. I have been given many opportunities and am happy with my experience at Moraine Park.”

Jerod Splan

morainepark.edu

May 16, 2019by Kristina Haensgen
Auto & Transportation

A Helping Hand

Nathan Automotive

I’d like you to meet Nathan Zielieke, an Automotive Tech student at MPTC. Nathan gave me a helping hand, literally, at Kwik Trip a few weeks back, and I feel he deserves positive recognition for his good deed!

Let’s just say I MAY have been quite a bit overdue for an oil change when I happened to see him leaving the store asked him “How far over is TOO far overdue?” Without hesitation, Nathan asked, “Would you like me to check your oil level?” I declined at first, but he kindly insisted and I’m glad he did!

He pointed out “Your oil should really be up to this line on the stick, and it’s way down here, you should probably go into the store and buy a quart. I’ll come in with you.”

Nathan didn’t stop there, he proceeded to put the oil in – cupping his hand in place of a funnel. What an upstanding citizen and all around nice guy!

When I asked Nathan how he became interested in cars and working on them, his face lit up, “I’ve been working in the shop, tearing down engines and restoring old cars with my dad and grandpa since before I could walk. My dad and I keep my grandpa’s old cars running and bring them to car shows. I haven’t missed the Iola Car Show and Swap Meet since I was six.”

“Right now I’m working on turning the first car my dad bought at age 11 into a drag racing car, it’s a 1958 Ford Custom 300. I’m also restoring a 1984 F350 and getting a 65 F250 running. I can fix anything that has an engine 4-wheelers, boats, lawnmowers, snowmobiles, dirt-bikes, you name it.”

I asked Nathan about his time here at Moraine Park and what his future holds he said, “I like it here, I enjoy the instructors, the real-life experiences and all the joking around. I work in a shop in Fond du Lac right now, but after I graduate next year, I want to find a job in restoration. Someday, I want to own a shop restoring old cars – nothing beats a classic.”

Thank you, Nathan, for being such a great guy- and for using your Moraine Park skills for those in need!

morainepark.edu/automotive-technician

April 11, 2019by Jackie Vincent
Manufacturing, NTO

Jane of All Trades: Try Out Skills That Pay The Bills!

three females in welding lab with helmets on

Moraine Park is hosting its 4th Annual Jane of All Trades event on Wednesday, March 7. Jane is a FREE event where women of any age* can come and learn about careers they may have never considered before (*Participants under the age of 16 should have a parent/guardian in attendance with them, of course!)

This is an amazing chance to get hands-on demonstrations in areas such as:

Continue reading

February 13, 2018by Renae Fischer
Achievement, Manufacturing, Trades

YOU can do MATH!

two male students review notes at table

Do you hate math? Does math scare you? Have you ever wanted to try something but found out math was involved and decided you’d try something else? Are you afraid to try a college program because you think your math skills aren’t good enough to get you through? Continue reading

November 22, 2017by Annette Meihack
Achievement

Moraine Park awarded 100% of WTCS grant requests

It’s pretty rare that you get everything you ask for, but that’s exactly what’s happening to Moraine Park when it comes to Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) grants. Every year WTCS makes funds available to the 16 technical college districts (and others) in Wisconsin, but recently more and more of these grants have been competitive.

Most of the time, most colleges have to settle for only a portion of what they are hoping for. Continue reading

April 13, 2017by Jim Huycke
Community Engagement, NTO, Trades

Jane of All Trades: Try out skills that pay the bills!

Moraine Park is hosting its 3rd Annual Jane of All Trades event on Wednesday, March 8. Jane is an event where women of any age* can come and learn about careers they may have never considered before (*Participants under the age of 16 should have a parent/guardian in attendance with them, of course!)

This is an amazing chance to get hands-on demonstrations in areas such as: Continue reading

February 14, 2017by Renae Fischer
Auto & Transportation

“High Voltage,” meet the auto industry

As you can see by the danger sign in the picture, high voltage is new to the automotive industry.

And here at Moraine Park Technical College, with advances in automotive technology and hybrid vehicles aging, we are exposing our students to hybrid and electric vehicle technology.  Continue reading

December 14, 2016by Timothy Moy
Auto & Transportation, Throwbacks

THROWBACK: Automotive diagnostics, then and now!

Throwback Moraine Park photo from auto lab

The size of diagnostic equipment has changed a lot over the years as new technologies have been introduced into the automotive field.

But as the old adage goes, “size doesn’t matter.” Continue reading

December 7, 2016by Timothy Moy
Achievement, Alumni, Auto & Transportation

Moraine Park driver wins Kulwicki Cup, $54,439

Kulwicki race car driver holding winning flag

Alex Prunty, a Moraine Park Technical College alumnus and 24-year-old rising racing star from Lomira, Wisconsin, has won the 2016 “Kulwicki Cup” Championship. That announcement from officials at Kulwicki Driver Development Program (KDDP) came the day before Thanksgiving.

Prunty won the title by eight points (533-525) over New England standout Dave Farrington, Jr., from Jay, Maine.

“Absolutely shaking with excitement!,” Alex posted on Facebook after finding out the news Continue reading

December 2, 2016by Andrew Pantzlaff

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